Builder's apprentice Lachie Egglestone had his trailer with $15K worth of tools stolen from Rochester on Wednesday. Lachie has no insurance so a Gofundme page has been set up. Photo: Cath Grey
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TWO years of blood, sweat and tears has been ripped away from an Echuca tradie in less than a minute.
Lachie Egglestone was staying the night at his girlfriend's house in Rochester last week, when his $2500 trailer with $15,000 worth of tools inside, was stolen from outside the property.
“I came out in the morning and it was gone,” the 18-year-old said.
“I thought it was a joke to begin with but then it ended up being real.
“I felt pretty sick. About two years of hard work has been lost.”
The third-year building apprentice said the tool trailer, attached to his ute parked on the gravel side of High St, was stolen about 6am on Wednesday, June 17.
“There would be hundreds of tools in there. Some I got when I first started,” he said.
“The bloke next door says he saw a white Falcon take off with it about 6am, so I would have missed them by 20 minutes.”
A used coffee cup, covered in fingerprints, was found next to Lachie’s ute.
“We believe it was two men who ordered coffee at the Caltex service station about 5.30am,” he said.
“The trailer, which doesn’t have any lights on it, was spotted in Girgarre later that day.”
Because the tool trailer wasn’t insured, Lachie has had to start back at square one.
“I’ve had to buy a nail bag and hammer and all the basics which will at least let me work,” he said.
“Everyone at work has been lending me stuff too.
“It’s hard because these tools are my life, my job. I use nearly every tool every day.
“I just want my stuff back.”
Lachie’s partner Stephanie Crouch has created a GoFundMe page to help him get back on his feet.
“It will help me heaps with the financial side of things as I can’t come up with $10,000 in a week,” he said.
To donate, go to gofundme.com/f/help-hardworking-apprentice-get-back-on-his-feet
Police are investigating the theft and are appealing for public help to solve the crime.
Witnesses, anyone who has seen the dark grey trailer - registration V77485 – or has information can contact Rochester police on 5484 1100 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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